OT - Wide Receiver Route Running

Submitted by Imjesayin on January 14th, 2023 at 3:47 PM

A lot of people talk about the artistry of “route running.” But like many, I never understand what kind of techniques are employed by great receivers and why some physically-gifted receivers just can’t seem to get open. 

I found this interesting article that isn’t as in-depth as say, something by Seth, but is an introduction to some of the things some of the current NFL greats do to get open. It includes some basic schematics and corresponding videos.

It’s a NY Times article, which is somewhat paywalled, but can be read by clicking on the reader version in some browsers. (I use Firefox which has a reading icon to the right of the url, though the imbedded videos won’t play.)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/14/sports/football/nfl-receivers-routes.html

NashvilleBLUE

January 14th, 2023 at 3:57 PM ^

Glad y’all finally found the real football insiders. I get all my in-depth football analysis and nuanced position group discussion from NYT. On another note, I get all my political and socioeconomic discussion from ESPN.

 

edit: just logged back in since posting to see an innocuous joke about how odd it was to see a nuanced article on football from the NYT get mass downvoted. Still learning my audience I suppose. Stick and move, stick and move.

Imjesayin

January 14th, 2023 at 4:26 PM ^

It’s a slow weekend in off season and I thought I’d post something remotely football related some might find interesting with caveats of its content and source. 

I never thought the very first comment (or any comment) would come up with something like that. Wow. I don’t know why anyone would post anything on here knowing they might get such a negative reaction like that. 

tigerd

January 14th, 2023 at 10:05 PM ^

I've always seen him as a straight line guy. He never showed that quick shiftiness that the good ones show. Weird how some guys just have it. St. Brown for the Lions is one that does. He reminds me a lot of Golden Tate. They aren't the fastest guys in the world but have enough shiftiness to break guys ankles.

Sambojangles

January 14th, 2023 at 10:12 PM ^

Good and helpful article, appreciate the share. I've always wondered what distinguishes good WR from average ones when it's not just size and speed. 

It's so much more complex than you think. I still think of route running generally in NCAA 14 route lines.